Three netball coaches and two netball umpires from across South Australia have been recognized for their contributions to their communities, chosen as finalists for the 2023 Coach of the Year Award (Community) and 2023 Umpire of the Year Award (Community) respectively.
Natasha Ryan from the Seaford Storm Netball Club, Paul Besanko from the Oakdale and St Joseph’s Netball Clubs and Rachel Symes from the Barmera Netball Club are the three finalists for the Coach of the Year Award, which will be presented at the Netball SA Awards Gala this month.
Jessie Miller from the Loxton North Netball Club and Lisa McGregor from the West Gambier Netball Club are the two finalists for the Umpire of the Year Award, which will also be presented at the Netball SA Awards Gala.
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2023 Coach of the Year Award (Community)
Natasha Ryan was nominated for her incredible efforts as an intermediate coach for the Seaford Storm Netball Club.
Her nomination referred to the endless work she puts in for her club, balancing her coaching commitments, with other volunteering roles and playing.
Natasha is well known for supporting other coaches and lifting her players with positive, encouraging words.
She brings a lot of fun to her coaching and is able give constructive feedback with the appropriate level of care and understanding for the age group.
She is is recognised as a standout coach within the club, for the impact she has on players across multiple teams, not just her own.
Paul Besanko was nominated for his remarkable contributions in coaching and impact on young players across a number of age groups over many years.
His nomination for the Coach of the Year Award (Community) highlighted his ability to prioritise the wellbeing of players, assist their development and encourage them to advance their skills and build confidence.
Paul is a highly respected coach who is passionate about recruiting new players and providing young netballers with the best opportunity possible to continue their development.
Outside of coaching three junior teams in the community his coaching potential has been recognised, with recent appointments as an assistant coach for the Adelaide Thunderbirds Talent Academy (Metro) and Coaching Director at Oakdale Netball Club.
Paul is a wonderful mentor for players, who maintains a focus on building their love of the game and is extremely well-liked by players and parents alike.
Rachel Synes was nominated for her dedication and passion for coaching the u13C team at the Barmera Netball Club.
Much loved by her players, she puts her heart and soul into ensuring they enjoy themselves and is always very encouraging towards the team.
Rachel regularly organises bonding activities for the team and when the Adelaide Thunderbirds were playing in the grand final, she planned a watch party which included team building games for the players during the half time break.
She spreads positivity amongst the team which reflects in the way the team plays and their strengths as players and also young people.
2023 Umpire of the Year Award (Community)
Jessie Miller has made a significant contribution to the umpiring community through her efforts for the Loxton North Netball Club, and the Riverland Netball Association (RNA).
Alongside performing the roles of Club President, games contact, umpire's co-ordinator, sponsorship officer, U17A team assistant coach, and Netball SA delegate for the RNA, Jessie umpires regularly umpires five games a week and even fills in for other clubs when they are short.
She has established an umpiring academy within the Loxton North Netball Club to mentor juniors to fill the umpiring ranks and recently hosted an afternoon nibbles and drinks event to recognise the club’s umpires.
Jessie also travels to Adelaide for the Country Championships, umpiring up to 10 games of netball across the weekend.
Lisa McGregor has been nominated for her service to umpiring within the West Gambier Netball Club and commitment to mentoring other umpires.
Along with her sister, she has been the Umpire Co-ordinator at the club for the last four years and manages their ‘Green Shirt Program’ which is designed to develop and mentor young umpires.
Lisa is always willing to pass her knowledge onto the next generation of umpires and on game day she will mentor umpires, umpire a game herself and then hit the court as the A Grade playing coach.
She has been an outstanding role model for up-and-coming umpires, who have benefited greatly from the ‘Green Shirt Program’ and her support and guidance.
